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• Evaluation of smart parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids with different genotypes

  5-32

  Ágota Lovász

  János Nagy

  Views:

  202

  In the 2024 growing season, I examined the smart parameters of five different genotypes of maize hybrids within the framework of a long-term field experiment. The research focused on the germination dynamics, dry matter accumulation in relation to the useful heat units, and the analysis of individual NDVI and SPAD values of the plants.
  The cooling that occurred during the two weeks following sowing posed challenges for the hybrids, yet the adaptive strategies of the different genotypes were clearly observable. The dynamics of germination and the rate of dry matter accumulation highlighted the diversity among the genotypes, offering significant potential in terms of yield and harvest timing.
  The Kabanero hybrid performed exceptionally well, emerging the earliest and reaching the highest final dry matter content. The Synopsis hybrid showed dynamic adaptation: although its initial germination was slower, it later accelerated, resulting in balanced dry matter accumulation. Dueling hybrid exhibited the most equal germination and the highest number of emerged plants, coupled with a continuous increase in dry matter content, leading to stable growth. Indem1012 hybrid was sensitive to the drop in temperature, resulting in delayed germination, yet it still achieved significant dry matter accumulation. Kabaretto hybrid emergence equal and although it maintained a lower dry matter content until physiological maturity, it produced the highest average yield, demonstrating its excellent yield potential.
  NDVI analysis revealed that all hybrids reached their highest values during the V12 phenological stage, reflecting healthy plant development. The SPAD value analysis showed similar patterns for the Kabanero, Synopsis, and Dueling hybrids, with peak values measured at the V12, silking, and R4 stages. In the Indem1012 and Kabaretto hybrids, high SPAD values were recorded during the V12 stage, followed by a decrease during silking, and a subsequent increase at the R4 stage, indicating the hybrids' adaptability.
  Overall, the diverse performance of the studied maize hybrids provided valuable insights into the relationships between germination dynamics, dry matter accumulation, and physiological development, highlighting the potential inherent in genetic diversity.

• Harvest time evaluation of sweet maize (Zea mays L. convar. saccharata Koern) hybrids based on dry matter and sucrose yield dynamics

  53-68

  János Nagy

  Cintia Demeter

  Zsuzsanna Bakos

  Károly Simon

  Hajer Mohamed Ibrahim Sidahmed

  Views:

  145

  Hungarian sweet maize production, in demand worldwide, averages 500,000 tonnes over several years, thanks to well-chosen precision farming technology. In agriculture, the success of sweet maize production is influenced by many factors, and therefore we are constantly faced with practical challenges. Limited data are available on the dynamics of sugar accumulation in plants, especially under abiotic stress. We investigated a sweet maize hybrid for public cultivation in an experiment set up on the campus of the University of Debrecen, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management. Quality parameters were determined from grain samples taken at harvest under laboratory conditions at the Agricultural Instrument Centre of the Faculty. In our sweet maize field experiment, dry matter content and sucrose content were measured in grain samples taken at four sampling times. Based on our measurement results, we found that the dry matter gain dynamics of the four examined sweet maize hybrids were different, all with linear increasing trends. Based on our research results, we demonstrated that dry matter and sucrose yields of all four hybrids were most favourable for harvesting at the third sampling time. Compared to the first sampling date, in two weeks, dry matter yield increased by 46% and sucrose content tripled in a tonne of sweet maize grain yield. Thereafter, dry matter and sucrose gains slowed down.

• Evaluation of dry matter accumulation and water loss dynamics of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids in a long-term field experiment

  51-63

  Árpád Illés

  János Sólyom

  János Nagy

  Csaba Bojtor

  Views:

  176

  The extremely hot summer weather in 2024 provided favorable conditions for the heat sum-based evaluation of maize hybrids. At the University of Debrecen's Látókép Experimental Station, we evaluated the development, dry matter accumulation, and water loss dynamics of five hybrids with different FAO numbers (P9398, P9944, P9975, P0450, P0710).
  Based on the results, hybrid-specific physiological maturation and dry matter accumulation could be well monitored as a function of the useful heat sum. The dry matter and grain moisture values determined during sampling allowed for accurate characterization of the water loss rate, which showed significant differences between the hybrids. The timing and duration of the intensive water loss phase are decisive for the harvest date and drying costs. Heat sum-based monitoring is a reliable tool for determining the phenological stages of maize hybrids and can contribute to the optimization of cultivation technology in a changing climate.

• Effect of the year on yield, grain moisture, and quality parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) (2020–2023)

  51-68

  Ágota Lovász

  János Nagy

  Views:

  195

  Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important arable crops in Hungary, whose yield stability and quality have increasingly depended on annual and climatic conditions in recent years. The period between 2020 and 2023 clearly illustrates that variability in temperature and precipitation patterns fundamentally determines yield performance, grain moisture content, and quality parameters. While in 2020 balanced heat and water availability ensured high yields, favorable starch content, and an extended ripening period, in 2022 the extreme drought and record-high temperatures resulted in a drastic yield reduction, low grain moisture, and moderate starch content.
  During critical phenological phases – particularly flowering and grain filling – heat stress and water shortage greatly influenced pollination success, dry matter accumulation, and thus overall crop quality. In unfavorable years, an increase in protein and oil content at the expense of starch was often observed, indicating an inverse relationship between quantitative and qualitative parameters. Although lower grain moisture at harvest can offer technological advantages, rapid water loss may lead to structural damage and an increased risk of mycotoxin contamination.
  The results of the examined period highlight that extreme weather factors caused by climate change—heatwaves, drought periods, and precipitation deficits—not only limit yield potential but also alter quality traits. Therefore, in the future, adapting to year-to-year variations will play a key role: the use of stress-tolerant hybrids, optimization of sowing dates, adoption of water-conserving tillage practices, and targeted irrigation strategies can collectively enhance the stability of maize production under changing agroclimatic conditions.

• Evaluation of smart parameters of FAO 520 maize hybrid (Zea mays L.) in drip irrigation long-term experiments

  65-79

  Hella Kalina

  János Nagy

  Views:

  166

  Climate change poses increasing challenges for maize production. Climate change is particularly noticeable in Hungary. When growing maize hybrids, special attention must be paid to nutrient and water supply. Irrigation development and the installation of irrigation systems are key elements of precision maize cultivation. One such intensive technology is drip irrigation, which ensures efficient crop production in a planned and controlled manner. This precision irrigation technique delivers water directly to the root zone, optimising water supply. The movement of nitrogen in the soil, which is necessary for yield formation, is highly dependent on irrigation. Monitoring the nitrogen supply of plants provides important information. The most commonly used methods for this are the SPAD and NDVI indices, which have a wide range of applications.
  The tests were carried out at the Látókép Experimental Station of the University of Debrecen, where all the conditions are in place to carry out important analyses by comparing accurate measurement data collected over many years. This time, the subject of the study was the FAO520 maize hybrid. Based on the long-term experiment results, the H520 maize hybrid has good phenotypic characteristics, a stable structure, high yield potential, good adaptability, and fast water release dynamics. The yield of the H520 maize hybrid is excellent in irrigated cultivation (21.41 t/ha). The dry matter accumulation dynamics of the hybrid are outstanding. The grain moisture content at harvest was very favorable, at 13.9%.